Your Burger and The World

STUDENTS: Module 2: Decisions Based on Science

What
we eat is part of our personal environment. We can have a healthier
personal environment by making good decisions about diet including what
foods to eat, when to eat them, and what quantities to eat. Nutrients
in these foods supply the energy and molecules that our bodies need
in order to grow, develop, repair damage, and perform the activities
of life. The food pyramid guide
lists the recommended number of servings we should eat each day.

Food
gives us energy. The heat energy in foods can
be measured using a calorimeter. The unit of measurement of the heat
energy in foods is a calorie.

As members of a food chain we consume food and can transform its energy
into mechanical energy during exercise. This is our energy output.

It is important to maintain a balance between our daily energy input
and output in order to remain healthy.
Throughout life you must balance your needs as an organism with your
personal choices in order to maintain a healthy body. In general, the
calories in foods are burned more rapidly by adolescents
who have a higher rate of metabolism than by older adults whose metabolic
rate is generally slower. Individuals must be aware of these changing
needs and change their diets accordingly in order to maintain
a healthy personal environment throughout their lifetimes. Healthy eating
early in life should become a lifelong habit.